Check-in: The Peninsula

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Area Overlooking the choppy corner where the Huangpu River meets Suzhou Creek, The Peninsula boasts a location at the northern-end of the Bund, right next to the former British Consular Offices and Consul General that have stood since 1873. Thus, perched on the Bund, the hotel is surrounded by the city's most luxurious shopping destination: the Peninsula Arcade, home to the likes of the Chanel flagship store, Prada, Graff, et al, as well as several Shanghai heritage sites, buildings, and monuments. That’s also a jumping off point, down Suzhou Creek, into the art district at Moganshan Lu, Shanghai’s most high profile gallery area.

The Background The opening of The Peninsula in Shanghai marks something of a homecoming for HSH, the oldest hotel company in Asia and parent of the Peninsula brand. In 1922, Baghdadian entrepreneur, Sir Elly Kadoorie, founder of the Hong Kong Hotel Company, acquired a controlling interest in Shanghai Hotels Ltd., and as the newly formed HSH coalition, once owned four hotels in the city. As well as becoming a hotel mogul, Kadoorie is also credited with building Marble Hall, his magnificent 1920s stately home, now known as the "Children's Palace" at 64 Yanan Xi Lu.

The first Peninsula hotel in the ten-city strong chain was Hong Kong, completed in 1928. Almost 85 years later, the Shanghai branch opened and is the first new-build on the historic Bund in 60 years, a privilege that came with several provisos: the building is clad in granite sourced from the same quarry as its neighbors, for example, and could be no higher than ten storeys.

Now booking With no fewer than 14 room types available, rates vary enormously from 3,500rmb for the most basic – that’s the 55sqm 'Superior' -- right the way up to 105,000rmb for the 400sqm, utterly lavish 'Peninsula Suite'. Yes, that’s right: 100,000rmb for one night, according the rack rates on their website.

That said, packages are available, and depending on occupancy you might be able to book a Bund view for ever so slightly less.

Despite this enormous discrepancy, entry level rooms include the same features as their grander counterparts -- all, for example, boast a separate and spacious dressing room, private fax machine and printer, and complimentary long distance phone calls. The 235 rooms look out on to either the Huangpu river and Pudong skyline, or the inviting gardens and greenery of the former British Consulate.

Atmosphere Dainty sandwiches with afternoon tea, bustling bellhops clad in white and of course that particular and privileged-looking shade of dark green: the Peninsula brand encapsulates a wealth of imagery and experience that few can rival. Indeed, arriving at what is perhaps the Bund's most prestigious address really does feel a little like walking into a film of some unspecified bygone era, complete with its very own live soundtrack wafting down from the Minstrels' Gallery of either afternoon, classical strings or moody, evening-time jazz.

Unusual for a hotel but befitting for the handful of high-fliers and celebrities who frequent the Peninsula, the check-in desk is actually tucked around a corner for the privacy of guests. Instead, the first impression is the Lobby: all ivory and pale green with classical columns and high ceilings, both breakfast and afternoon tea are served in this rather formal space, with perhaps the nicest tables being towards the back of the room, looking out onto the lush leafy gardens of the former British Consulate.

French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon's decidedly Art Deco inspired interiors hark back to Shanghai's glamorous heyday: elaborately patterned, geometric in shape, and of dark mahogany, black lacquer and polished chrome, the Peninsula oozes drama. Ornate chandeliers and oversized mirrors cast a soft light on proceedings, whilst contemporary touches come thanks to a close partnership with Hong Kong-based art consultant Sabrina Fung -- be sure to check out Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu's magnificent, Swarovski crystal-encrusted 'Curl', suspended alongside an equally splendid marble staircase.

If the décor is evocative of a more leisurely time, the rooms' technology is bang up to date. The Peninsula boast their own R&D facility staffed by a team of engineers dedicated to building smart, efficient in-room technology to control everything from temperature and humidity, entertainment and light, and even a post-manicure nail dryer. Even the marble bathrooms are more technological than most, with a telephone in the toilet, and 'Spa' mode for the bath – cue relaxed lighting and peaceful music, which if you listen carefully enough, features birds chirruping.

Food and Beverage Dining-wise, the hotel features two main options: Western cuisine courtesy of French chef, Arnaud Berthelier at Sir Elly's, or Cantonese fare by Michelin star chef Tang Chi Keung at Yi Long Court on the second floor. The latter is beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, taking the theme of a 1930s Shanghai home – alternatively opt for the intimate Chef's Table for an up close and personal view of the kitchen's creations. With no fewer than three distinct bar options, there's likely something for all tastes, from the delightfully eccentric Salon de Ning in the basement (watch out for King Kong as you step out from the replica 1930s gated lift), low key and vaguely nautical Compass Bar, and al fresco Sir Elly's Terrace, complete with breathtaking Bund views.

Amenities Whether you're in the mood for serious exercise or serious lounging, the Peninsula's 25m pool is the place to do it. An adjacent outdoor terrace overlooks the gardens of the former British Consulate and is kitted out with parasols and deck chairs, the air delicately fragrant thanks to its proximity to the hotel's other big draw: the Peninsula Spa by ESPA.

Another special feature of the hotel is their fleet of customized Rolls Royce Phantoms and BMW 7 Series. For a price, these beautiful cars will pick you up from the airport and deliver you to the hotel. Finished in buttery soft leather and that signature Peninsula green, cars carry hot towels, chilled mineral water and even boast WiFi. They are, in short, spectacular, and a tribute to the group's founder, Sir Elly Kadoorie's love of travel. Like its Hong Kong counterpart, the Shanghai hotel boasts a helicopter and helipad, and although the city's powers that be have yet to give the go-ahead for take off, the Peninsula are optimistic that it will be airborne soon. For now, the aviation lounge – complete with old maps and life-size replica of a 1930s Loening airplane – is being used as a meeting room, one of six throughout the hotel.

Who's staying? Formal, grandiose and let's face it, expensive, the Peninsula caters to a clientele who are just that: affluent, appreciative of tradition and almost certainly nostalgic for the refined elegance of the ‘20s and ‘30s. It's not young, it's not hip, but then nor does it try to be; instead the Peninsula is confidently carving out its own definition of retro Shanghai glamour. Of course it comes at a price but one largely set by the history and prestige of the Peninsula brand – whether what's on offer matches that value is a question of taste, but without a doubt, the hotel's attention to detail and sheer splendour make it one of the stars of the city's luxury scene.